Elusive Dreams of Belonging

Blog

/

May 4, 2025

Elusive Dreams of Belonging

Overview

Elusive Dreams of Belonging

If belonging is a place, it is set within a dream, interrupted yet repeated as escaped fragments of my subconscious mind.

I am fascinated by the interplay between place and identity and how it shapes our sense of self. In my exhibition, Elusive Dreams of Belonging, I explore this tension through a series of house-shaped configurations that evolved from the realm of my imagination. My houses are used as an observation that questions the significance of the concept ‘home is identity’ by exploring their tangibility within the context of dislocated identities. The dislocated identities are not defined by conventional notions that one’s identity is solely determined by their home, instead, they highlight the complexity and fluidity of identity formation for those whose sense of self and place is constantly evolving. By challenging the predetermined nature of our identities, I seek to shift the intersections of the conventional notions of selfhood and contradictory processes that define ‘belonging’ and, consequently, ‘unbelonging’.

Home is not always the answer to understanding our identity, but exploring the sense of self opens a space where belonging can be attainable. I have always been on the move, the shift of locations across Europe and the Middle East resulted in experiences that physically distanced me from my Iraqi roots. Houses transform into sensory details in my search for connecting to my cultural heritage. I found inspiration in the practice of ancient Mesopotamian dream interpretations and modern Arabic poetry on the feeling of disconnection experienced by people of displacement and alienation in the region. My work places reality in a dreamlike landscape. This forges a far-reaching connection between the physical and mental factors of dislocated identities, reflecting how our subconscious minds can influence our perceptions of self and reality.

Rim Albahrani 2023

ART DISTRICT is a believer in emerging artists and sees Rim Al Bahrani as a newborn star. Rim has refined the genetic artistic spirit of her parents and distilled it into works of her own. Her continuous search for a place to call home has dominated her work mood and resulted in a beautiful series of sculptured homes in different sizes and forms. “Elusive Dreams of Belonging” is a breath-taking exhibition that holds you in owe of this young artist with an old soul. Rim Albahrani (b.1995), was born in Amman, Jordan. From the early stages of her life, she was set on a vagabond life. Having lived with her Iraqi family in Yemen, Sweden, Qatar, and The United Kingdom, she was exposed to different cultures that shaped her. Art was introduced to her in her formative years by her artist parents. Her love of art and history made her pursue her undergraduate degree in History of Art followed by a graduate degree specializing in Modern and Contemporary Art.

Rim Albahrani 2024